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34 replies

Recruiting Delimma

B basball9610+ posts
We are at a stalemate. As discussed before in previous posts our son has a choice to make. A few months ago he was offered a spot on a new emerging D2 program. Only problem was school only has 1 scholarship this year to offer and its being used to recruit pitching staff. Next year they will have 3.5 in which Coach has told us, if he works hard, lives up to their expectations, he would be in line to recieve a portion of those scholarships. And the next year they will have 7 available, etc, etc. He would have to verbally commit (He will be getting academic money all four years also). The school is only 1.5 hours away. The date in which we promised them an answer is real close.
Since getting that offer my son has been offered a spot and athletic scholarship at a in state NAIA school. In state students get an extra 2500 a year from the state. The coach has promised his scholarship amount would increase each year. Tuition is approz 4K less than D2 school, therfore after all is added up, first year savings are approx 7K. But school is a little smaller and 6.5 hours away which is not really a problem, just makes it harder for us parents to attend games.
Son likes boths schools equally, would love to play D2, but likes NAIA head coach better (Only because he has spoke to head coach more). D2 is building new stadium, NAIA plays in MLB rookie league stadium which may be soon turned over to school, D2 is in warmer climate, NAIA plays more games (55) and plays against NAIA, D2 and D3 schools. Both teams have new coaching staff and are rebuilding programs. NAIA is losing 12 seniors(has 25 players) and is recruiting 5-6 players. D2 is losing 1 senior (has 20 players), but new coaching staff seemed to overlook returning upperclassmen last season in favor of younger guys and is recruiting 12-13 (mostly pitchers) to carry 32 players which seems about average for most D2 programs (some I see carry 40).
So my son's worry is, will Coach at D2 stay true to his word, have a spot for all 4 years and follow up with athletic scholarship money his 2nd year. Does he verbally commit at the deadline and pass up a scholarship at the other school. Or does he choose the athletic scholarship at the NAIA school? I believe the opeertunity of playing time would be equal at both schools. My wife and I would perfer he go to the D2 school even though it would cost us more, its closer. Its his decision and he's worried he will second guess himself if he went to one and it didn't quite work out as well as he expected.
Both schools academics are the same, NAIA offering a couple of more majors. Both are Christian affiliated, one being more in tune with that than the other. But thats not my son's thing.
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TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
First of all, congratualtions to your son on his offers.
It is very hard to advise you on which situation would be best for your son. I understand that your son will feel that he might make the wrong decision and be sorry for it later on down the road. He needs to go with his "gut" feeling.
You seem to have left the decision to him, though you prefer that he remain closer to home, which I always feel should not be the main factor is choosing a school. I do feel that this is a decision that should be made together.
One thing I would like to point out that should be considered. I am finding out through many posts on this board, that many coaches are not true to their word and many seems to come and go. Deciding to attend any school should not be based on promises, rather where he will get a chance to play regardless of the coaching situation.
Hope this helps a little.
TRhitTRhit10,000+ posts
You have to trust somebody some time and perhaps now is the time

Also I would not let the factor of mom and dad attending or not attending games enter into it--you will find a way if it comes to that

Allow the boy to make the decision which he feels is right in his heart and mind

Both situations appear to be winning situations
FungoFungoHighly Regarded and Beloved Old Timer
Basball96,
Tough call. Nice to have a choice but why does it have to be so difficult Big Grin. Seems as if you might have to adhere to the philosophy of: “If you come to a fork in the road...take it.”
You might want to consider looking at this situation as a skeptic. Ignore the positives and focus on the negatives. Write those negatives in two columns giving each school a column. (Ask your son to do the same and compare notes) See if that changes your perspective.
Good Luck,
Fungo
B basball9610+ posts
Yeah, it will be his final decision to make, he has to be the one to attend whichever school.
As far as trusting coaches, I hope we can trust either one of them. Even though from one post its seems some coaches shouldn't be trusted.
We came up with a list of 35 catagories, wrote down the pos/neg thing about each and some catagories were equal. Gave to my son, he circled which ones he felt was a plus. He came up with 10 for each school and 15 dead even, so that put both dead even overall (go figure).
Yes we would find a way to attend a game or 2, and if he went to a college that he didn't play baseball it would be 3-4 hours away anyway. It just happend one was so conviently close to home. When you have watched every game since he was 5, its hard to let go. But we haven't put that burden on him.
We feel he has the tools to be sucessful at either school. Because the one school seems to be giving him the sales pitch more often (because they can) he feels the other may not be as interested (although offer is is already on the table). You know the saying "money talks,
blank walks". I don't want him to choose just because the difference in scholarship (academic/athletic) amounts. He can take pride in choosing either although he seems to feel a little less pride in attending a D2 on academic vice athletic. Remember, he is 17. I explained to him that there are 100's even 1000's of HS players that would like to be in his shoes. I want him to remember that the school came to him out of the blue and really seems to want him, he should take pride in that.
Its not the glory situations that I have read about on this web site, "our son is being recuited by X amout of high level D1 schools" da,da,da a da. There is not alot of money amounts we are talking about for the 1st year, so much of tuitions are comming out of our pocket. We have just given him the OK to live out his dream of playing College baseball whatever it may cost us as long as he gets a good education while doing it. Just trying to get some ideas to make his decison easier.
thanks
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
I agree with sitting down and making the pro/con list, or which ever way suits you.

We did that and although one school had more pros than cons, that is not where he ended up.

It was the one the farthest, less scholarship, worse weather, one that didn't make it to Omaha (the other did) but most sincere coaches. Smile

The most important part is that he can look back and say he was never unhappy with his choice, Again, best of luck let us know how it goes. Smile
Last edited by TPM
FungoFungoHighly Regarded and Beloved Old Timer
Basball96, maybe there is no wrong decision here. Your son could possibly get everything he (and the family) wants from either school. After it’s all said and done I don’t think the classification of the school ...D-2, NAIA, D-1 will have any bearing on the satisfaction your son gets from his college baseball experience. Fit is the important thing here. You mention that you have been warned not to trust coaches. Take this with a grain of salt. I would venture to say that most coaches are trustworthy and honest. I think the problem arises because most parents are guilty of hearing what they “want” to hear and not what is actually said. For instance you write that the D-2 coach said:
quote:
Next year they will have 3.5 in which Coach has told us, if he works hard, lives up to their expectations, he would be in line to recieve a portion of those scholarships.
("portion of a scholarship" and "their expectations" are very vague)
You probably expect a scholarship next year but I see it as carrot being dangled that will probably fall short of your son’s expectations. This coach can justify your son being a little disappointed if he can use that scholarship next year to sign that big lefty he so desperately needs.
Fungo
Last edited by Fungo
B basball9610+ posts
1. Yes, I see that as a carrot being dangled. I know that he was refering to a small portion, after all he is recruiting 12-13 guys this year alone, then you have next years recruits. 3.5 doesn't go a long way and each one would like a portion also. I am realistic, but any amount would help. Coaches expectations, his expectations based on his knowledge of my sons abilities is to be a key player in building his program to be competitive at the D2 level. I know there is a chance my son may not live up to that. But I have confidence in my son.
2. Not concerned with chances of being drafted MLB. We are taking this one step at a time, you know, little league, AAU, Middle School, JV, Varsity, now college. Realistically, this will be his final 4 years of baseball.
3. Both Schools seem to play simular levels of competition, D2/D3/NAIA.

I think its down to a coin toss.
B baseballtoday100+ posts
All things being equal take the one that offers a better education.

And there is no wrong choice since neither one can guarantee how well you will progress and be able to compete, that is what you will control.

In any event, you can always transfer. The decision is not made in cement if things dont work out. And once a decison is made dont look back. It was the correct decision at the time.
PrepsterPrepster10,000+ posts
In this very close situation, I'd ask if you and your son have done all you can to find out as much as you can about what it's like to play at and attend each school. If appropriate and feasible, I'd suggest that he pull a couple of players at each school aside to do the best he can to find out what it's really like to be a part of each school's program. Find out what they particularly like and dislike about the baseball team and school. Ask if they, without naming names, can cite examples of recruiting promises upheld or broken. Ask them to describe how teammates get along. The sorts of things that sometimes get glossed over on short recruiting visits.

While questions like these aren't the most comfortable to ask, they can yield some particularly helpful insights; insights which it sounds like you might be able to use at this point.

In any event, congratulations to your son; and best of luck to him regardless of where he lands.
ND Novice Dad100+ posts
For what its worth.

1- I'm assuming he has visited both schools and had time to visit with players...if not he should prior to decision.

2- The offers are important but make him think about where will he be happier when hes not on the field.

3- IMO you can give him the pro's and con's and support his decision but let it be his decision.

Good Luck!
S snoop10+ posts
If you feel the need for more info you might consider calling some player parents from each school. A parent who's son has been at the school and in the program for several years can give you a different perspective than you will get talking to coaches or even current players. It sounds like either option is a good one. We advised to our son to choose the school that he would prefer if for some reason he could not play baseball. These can be difficult decisions - once decision is made don't look back - just support your son and enjoy the experience.
B basball9610+ posts
Thanks for all of the comments and help. My son did speak with both head coaches once more before making a final decision. He also drew on the advice from his former pitching coach (HS coach from another HS) and friend. Niether choice would have been the wrong choice. I am happy to anounce that he will be signing with the NAIA school shortly and feels confident that he made the right choice, despite the distance from home. And we will support him in his decision.
B basball9610+ posts
Well, its been a 1.5 weeks since my son decided and as time goes by its more obvious he made the right choice. After graciously declining the one schools offer and wishing them the best of luck, the lack of any response (positive or negative) from them, sort of indicates a lack of true interest, which was my son's gut feeling.
We all are now getting excited and are making all those plans to ship him off next Aug. The coach comes in tomorrow to sign him and we are having a little signing party. So it will be all official and our long journey to get here will be comming to an end, ready to start a new one. He is very, very happy with his decision and he has no second thoughts. He's ready.
Thanks to everyone on this web site, I have confided in the discusion topics many times to get advice on which steps to take next. It has not all been easy, and many times we almost gave up. So my advice would be, stick with it, never give up, it will pay off one way or another, even if my son didn't get any offers, its made him a stonger person. Thanks again.
L lafmom5,000+ posts
baseball96 - The fact the program didn't call back may not truly indicate their interest or lack of in your son, but IMO it does indicate what kind of people they are. That is just something that bothers me on the college end - my own son notified all schools when he committed last winter. Everyone replied with some kind of reply except one school/coach. That school and coach had been at the top of his conversations/considerations over the winter. The coach never replied in any way. My JUCO son does remember that and I can tell you - that won't be a school he would ever consider again simply because of that one thing! Good manners work both ways IMO.
Last edited by lafmom
observer44observer441,000+ posts
.

Baseball96...

quote:
Its not the glory situations that I have read about on this web site, "our son is being recuited by X amout of high level D1 schools" da,da,da a da.


Glory is in the eyes of the beholder...Many more of the non-glory out there than the glory...I found your story very vaulable and encouraging as I am sure many others suffering the "post-November-I-got-left-out-blues" did...Nice perspective...thanks


quote:
I explained to him that there are 100's even 1000's of HS players that would like to be in his shoes.


How true. Again, nice perspective. I can name a couple score of players right off the top of my head who would have loved to have that choice and who are currently scrambling ...

Congrats.
B basball9610+ posts
Thanks to every one for your good wishes. Son signed last night. Coach drove 7.5 hours each way to sign him. He really must have wanted him.
For those who hadn't figured it out, he signed NAIA. Small school, long way from home, good conference, and was told last night that he'll be starting his 1st year. And thats what's its all about, being on the field. Hey, its kept him out of trouble and gave him focus all these years, it will help carry him thru college.
C Coachric1,000+ posts
Hi Basball96. I am new here but have read many posts here. I have been around the game for over 30 years. Great decision by you and your kid. He's obviously been well raised. Great posts by others here as well. Just really a good group of people. The naia will challenge your son and the competition will be good. Most game are weekend series, so if you can't make the friday game, you still have saturday and sunday.
Merry Christmas to all.
Coachric

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